All About Me

Hi there! My name is Laura Bensley and I am the face behind Crafty Bee Creations.  I am a former preschool teaching assistant and substitute teacher turned WAHM (work at home mom).  I currently live in Illinois with my husband Brad and my 3 year old daughter Laina.

Here’s a little Q&A about me!

How did you get started selling on Teachers Pay Teachers?  During student teaching in 2013, one of my host teachers introduced me to the site (Thanks Mrs. Moone!) and I immediately knew it was something I could do.  I began creating projects and patterns and haven’t looked back since.

How did you get started making cut and paste patterns?  I have been making patterns for over 10 years, thanks to many years working at my aunt’s daycare and preschool.  I have always been very creative and I guess you could say working with construction paper, scissors, and glue comes very natural to me (my teachers must have taught me well in my early years!).  I am constantly coming up with new ideas and creating things.

Do you miss teaching?  Honestly, no.  I loved being able to work with children, but getting to work from home and spend my days with my daughter are the best!  I also love that my projects are being created by children all around the world and that I can save teachers time.  I am so grateful and blessed to be able to do something I love.

Where did you go to school?  I actually have two degrees (yes, I know—I’m not using either!).  The first degree was a Bachelors of Arts in Interior Design from Harrington College of Design in Chicago   I really loved the space planning aspect of design but unfortunately the economy wasn’t on my side and it was hard to find a job in that field.  A few years later, I went back to school for Early Childhood Education through Western Governors University.  I worked hard from home (online classes, woohoo!) and completed the program in 2.5 years!

Who is that cutie in all your pictures? That would be my daughter Laina!  She’s my sidekick and helps me make some of my samples for projects.  If it was up to her, we’d be cutting and gluing all day.  Let’s be honest, her projects turn out better than mine anyways!  Laina is currently three and in her first year of preschool.  She brings a smile to my face everyday with her spunky personality.

What are your hobbies? If my husband could answer this, he’d tell you I’m always creating and at my computer working (okay, he’s probably right!).  I also love spending time with my friends and family, seeing movies, taking pictures, cooking, and being active.  I absolutely love taking my daughter on little adventures like the zoo, fall festivals, parks, etc.

If you could travel anywhere, where would it be? At the moment, I’d love to go to Hawaii.  I’m also hoping to save for a big trip to Europe someday.  I’d really like to start traveling more!

Who are your biggest role models? My parents.  They are simply the best!  They have always been there for me and are my biggest supporters in my TPT journey (my husband is too!).  I have truly been blessed with the best family a girl could ask for.

Random Facts

I LOVE a good cupcake.

I am totally afraid of heights and rollercoasters.  So NOT for me.

I own way TOO MUCH clip art.

My FAVORITE vacation spot is Long Boat Key, Florida.  We go there every year!

I can NEVER have enough Cooper’s Hawk Sangria.

I HOPE someday I can afford to have my house cleaned.  I hate cleaning!

Okay enough about me!  Thanks for taking the time to stop by my blog!  If you have more questions, feel free to email me at [email protected].  I love hearing from my readers.